Fire Risk assessment.
Regulation 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and Regulation 10 of
the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 1993
requires every employer and every person controlling a workplace to identify the
hazards of the place of work under his or her control and to assess the risks presented
by those hazards. The employer must be in possession of a written assessment of the
risks as they apply to employees, including any single employee, group, or groups of
employees who may be exposed. In carrying out the risk assessment the employer
must take account of the work being carried on and the duties imposed by the relevant
statutory provisions. The risk assessment must be reviewed and amended where there
has been a significant change regarding issues to which the risk assessment relates, or
if there is reason to believe the risk assessment is no longer valid. Employers are
required to have a safety statement based on the identification of the hazards and
assessment of the risks. The employer is required to take steps to implement any
improvement measures considered necessary relating to the safety, health and welfare
at work of employees and to ensure that any such measures are implemented in
respect of all activities and levels of the place of work. Employees, or their
representatives, must be consulted on the risk assessment and those sharing a place of
work must inform each other of risks arising from the work activity.
1
Stages in carrying out a fire risk assessment and analyzing
the results.
Stage 1
Identify all the fire
hazards
Stage 2
Identify people
who could be at
risk
Stage 7
Carry out a
periodic review of
the assessment
Stage 3
Eliminate, control
or avoid the fire
hazards.
Stage 6
Stage 4
Prepare an
emergency plan.
Consider whether
the existing fire
safety provisions
are adequate or
need improvement
Stage 5
Record the
findings
2
Emergency Plan.
Yes No

Has there been an emergency plan prepared for the premises?
Does your emergency plan contain?

The action employees should take if they discover a fire.

How people will be warned if there is a fire.

How the evacuation of the workplace should be carried out.

Where people should assemble after they have left the
workplace and procedures for checking whether the
workplace has been evacuated.

Identification of key escape routes, how people can gain
access to them and escape from them to a place of safety.

The fire fighting equipment provided.

The duties and identities of employees who have specific
responsibilities in the event of a fire.

Arrangements for the safe evacuation of people identified as
being especially at risk, such as contractors, those with
disabilities, members of the public and visitors.

Where appropriate, any machines, processes, power supplies
which need stopping or isolating in the event of fire.

How the emergency services will be called and by whom.

Procedure’s for liasing with the emergency Services and
notifying them of any special risks.

What training Employees need and the arrangements for
ensuring that this training is given.
3
Stage 1.
Identifying the fire hazards:
Yes
1
Is there a system for controlling the amounts of
combustible and flammable liquids and gasses
that are kept in the workplace?
2
Is the system operating effectively?
3
Are all combustible materials and flammable
gasses stored safely?
Are all heaters fitted with suitable guards and
fixed in a position away from combustible
materials?
4
5
Are all items of portable electrical equipment
inspected and fitted with correctly rated fuses?
6
Does a competent person inspect the wiring of
the electrical installation periodically?
7
Is the use of extension leads and multi-point
adaptors kept to a minimum?
8
Are the flexes run in a safe place where they
will not be damaged?
9
Is the upholstery of furniture in good
condition?
10
Is the workplace free of rubbish and
combustible waste materials?
11
Is there a designated smoking area provided
with adequate ashtrays?
12
Have suitable measures been taken to protect
against the risk of arson?
Have measures been taken to ensure smoke and
flames cannot spread from one compartment
within the building to another?
13
No
Not applicable
4
Stage.2.
Now identify how people could be at risk:
Yes
14
No
Not applicable
Are there sufficient number of exits of suitable
width for the people present?
15 Do the exits lead to a place of safety?
16
Are the gangways and escape routes free from
obstruction?
17
Are the escape routes free from tripping and
slipping Hazards?
18
Are all steps and stairs in a good state of
repair?
19
Are the final exits always unlocked when the
premises are in use?
Are the devices securing final exits capable of
being opened immediately and easily without
the use of a key?
20
21
Are all internal fire doors labelled as such and
normally kept closed?
22
Are all self closing devices on fire doors
operating correctly?
23
Do doors on escape routes open in the direction
of travel?
24
Are escape routes clearly signed?
25
Are escape routes clearly lit?
26
Have plans been made and rehearsed regarding
assisting disabled staff and visitors to evacuate
the premises?
5
Stage 3.
Eliminate control or avoid the fire hazard
Yes
27
28
29
30
No
Not applicable
Do procedures and practices avoid the use of
combustible materials or processes that use
heat?
Has consideration been given to all cost
effective measures that could be taken to
prevent the occurrence of arson?
Have staff been trained how to call the Fire
Service, the use of fire extinguishers and in
basic fire prevention?
n prevention??
Have you asked your insurers for advice
regarding fire protection for your building?
Stage 4
Consider whether the existing fire safety provisions are adequate.
31
Where escape lighting is installed, is it in
working order and maintained regularly?
32
Is the fire alarm system in working order and
audible throughout the premises?
33
Is the fire alarm tested weekly from a different
call point each time?
34
Can the fire alarm be raised without placing
any one in danger?
35
36
Are the fire alarm call points clearly visible and
unobstructed?
Are there adequate number of suitable fire
extinguishers provided?
37
Are fire extinguishe and fire blankets located
suitably and ready for use?
38
Does a competent company or person service
the fire extinguishers annually?
39
Is any fixed fire fighting installation or
automatic fire detection system in working
order?
6
Stage 5.
Record the findings.
Yes
40
Have you recorded the findings of your fire risk
assessment in the Safety Statement?
41
Have you told your staff or their representatives
about your findings?
If you have prepared a formal report has this
been shown to your staff or their
representatives?
42
43
44
No
Not applicable
If you share the work place with others do they
know about the risks that you have identified?
If you do not have direct control over the work
place have you made your findings known to
the owner or landlord?
Stage 6
Prepare an emergency plan
45
Are fire action notices displayed prominently
throughout the work place?
46
Has an emergency plan been drawn up in case
of a fire?
47
Is a copy of an emergency plan kept other than
at the work place?
Stage 7
Carry out a periodic review of the assessment
48
Has a procedure been established to review the
fire risk assessment periodically?
7
(1a) Identifying the sources of ignition.
Yes
1
No
Not applicable
Does the work or activity involve ‘hot’
processes such as incineration, welding, flame
cutting, cooking or the use of ovens?
2
Are there light bulbs or fittings near
combustible materials?
3
Are there flourescent light tubes near
combustible materials?
4
Are portable heaters used?
5
Are there multipoint adapters in electrical
sockets?
6
Are extension leads plugged into adapters or
other extension leads?
7
Are any portable electrical appliances faulty or
damaged?
8
Is the electrical system maintained by a
competent person?
9
Is smoking permitted?
10
Is arson a potential problem?
11
Are there any other potential sources of heat in
the workplace?
If so what are they?
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘Yes’, then go to 3a
8
(1b) Identifying combustible materials.
Yes
1
2
Are large amounts of textiles and furniture
displayed or stored in the workplace?
4
Are there any items of furniture damaged and
with the padding exposed?
Are there large notice boards on escape routes
with bundles of loose paper hanging from
them?
Are more than 20% of the walls covered with
combustible linings such as hardboard,
chipboard, plastic tiles or flock wall paper?
6
7
Is there any area of the walls covered with
carpet tiles?
8
Is the ceiling covered with polystyrene tiles?
9
Are combustible artificial foliage or plants used
to decorate the workplace?
Are there displays involving combustible
materials and panels on escape routes or else
where?
Is paper or similar decorations hung in the
building during Christmas or other festive
times?
10
11
Not applicable
Does your work processes involve the use of
combustible materials such as paper, card or
plastics?
Are bulk quantities of combustible materials
(either raw materials, finished goods or waste)
kept in the workplace?
3
5
No
12
Are there any other combustible materials in
the workplace?
If so what are they?
9
(1c) Identifying flammable liquids and gases
Yes
1
Are stocks of flammable liquids for use in the
processes kept in the workplace?
2
Are containers of flammable liquids left open,
without their tops on?
3
Are flammable liquids kept in the workplace
for use by the cleaners or maintenance staff?
No
Not applicable
4
Are there quantities of flammable liquids kept
for any other purposes?
If so what are they, and where are they kept?
5
Is natural gas used in the manufacturing
process?
6
Are cylinders of flammable gasses used or
stored in the premises?
7
Are cylinders of other gasses, such as air or
oxygen used or stored on the premises?
8
Are aerosol cans filled or stored on the
premises?
9
Are there any other forms of compressed gas
used or stored on the premises?
If so what are they?
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘YES’, then refer to 3c
10
1 (d) Identifying structural features that could lead to the spread of fire.
‘A’
Yes
1
2
3
4
No
Not applicable
Are stocks of raw material and finished
products separated from the workplace by a fire
resisting structure?
Are all compartments separated by a fire
resisting structure?
Are all holes in compartments walls, ceilings
and floors around services such as pipes and
cables, fire resisting?
Have dampers been installed in ductwork
where it passes through compartment walls,
floors and ceilings?
5
Are holes in floors and ceilings of vertical
service ducts or cupboards fire stopped?
6
Are all openings in compartment boundaries
protected in case of fire?
‘B’
1
Are there undivided voids beneath the floor?
2
Are there undivided voids above the ceiling?
Are there voids behind panelling or other
features that could lead to a fire spreading to
the floor above?
Are there any other features that could lead to
4
the spread of flames or smoke in the event of a
fire?
If so what are they?
3
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘Yes’ then go to the checklist for
Stage 3d.
11
Stage 2: Identifying people who could be at risk.
Yes
1
Do people sleep in the workplace
2
Is there a large number of staff in the
workplace?
3
Do a large number of the general public visit
the workplace?
4
Will people be un-familiar with the layout of
the building and the escape routes.
5
Is the workplace regularly used or visited by
people whose mobility is impaired?
6
Is the workplace used or visited regularly by
people with other forms of disability?
8
Are contractors or maintenance workers
unaware of the dangers posed by fire?
9
Do any members of staff work in areas where
there is a high risk of a fire occurring?
No
Not applicable
10
Are there any other factors which put people in
the building at risk?
If so what are they?
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘Yes’ then go to the checklist for
Stage 3.
12
Stage 3:Eliminating, controlling and avoiding fire hazards
Stage 3a: Reducing the risk from sources of ignition
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions in Stage 1a can you:
Yes
1
Replace the work process with one that reduces
the potential for ignition? (for example replace
a hot work method with one that does not
employ flame or heat.)
2
Adopt a hot work permit system?
3
Reposition light units to reduce the risk of
contact with combustible materials?
Replace radiant heaters and those employing
flames with fixed convector heaters or central
heating?
4
5
Install additional electrical socket outlets?
6
Provide and maintain protective devices such
as residual current devices (RCDs) and
thermostats?
7
8
9
No
Not applicable
Ensure that the electrical wiring and portable
appliances are inspected regularly?
Designate an area where smoking is permitted
and provide suitable furniture and an adequate
number of ashtrays?
Provide and maintain appropriate security
measures against arson?
If the answer to any of the questions above is ‘No’, then go to checklist 3f.
13
Stage 3b: Reducing the risk from combustible materials.
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions in Stage 1b, can you:
Yes
1
2
3
No
Not applicable
Replace any of the combustible materials used
in the work process with non-combustible
alternatives?
Reduce the amounts of combustible materials
stored in the premises?
Store combustible materials in fire-resisting
stores or enclosures away from sources of
ignition?
4
Reduce the amounts of materials that are being
displayed?
5
Replace furniture with combustible upholstery
with items which are not so combustible?
6
Replace damaged furniture?
7
Improve housekeeping and the arrangements
for the disposal of waste and rubbish?
8
Remove combustible wall linings or replace
them with more suitable materials?
9
Remove combustible ceilings?
10
Introduce real plants or fire-resistant foliage for
decorative purposes?
11
Limit the size of displays and site them away
from the main escape routes?
12
Reduce the size of notice boards and the
amount of paper hanging from them?
13
Prohibit the hanging of combustible
decorations, especially near light fittings?
If the answer to any of the questions above is ‘No’, then go to checklist 3f.
14
Stage 3c: Reducing the risk from flammable liquids and gases.
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions in Stage 1c, can you
Yes
1
Reduce the volume of flammable liquids that
are kept in the workplace?
2
Ensure that all containers are kept closed when
not in use?
3
Replace a flammable liquid or solvent with a
non-flammable alternative?
4
Reduce, remove or replace the flammable
liquids used by cleaners and maintenance staff?
5
Ensure that gas-fuelled equipment is serviced
and maintained regularly?
6
Reduce the numbers of cylinders of flammable
and non-flammable gases that are kept in the
workplace?
Reduce the number of aerosol cans stored in
the premises?
7
8
9
No
Not applicable
Replace aerosol cans, especially those which
are butane or propane as the propellant gas,
with less hazardous products?
Ensure that if it is necessary to store large
quantities of aerosol cans that they are in
purpose built cages?
If the answer to any of the questions above is ‘No’, then go to checklist 3f.
15
Stage 3d: Reducing the risk from structural features.
If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions in Stage 1d, can you:
Yes
1
Separate stocks of raw materials and finished
products from the workplace by a fire-resistant
structure?
2
Divide voids beneath floors?
3
Divide voids above ceilings
4
Fire stop hidden areas such as those behind
panelling?
Fire stop all holes around services to the same
standard as the fire resistance of the element of
construction in which they are situated?
5
6
7
No
Not applicable
Install dampers in ducts in line with
compartment walls?
Install automatically operating fire-resistant
doors or shutters to protect openings in
compartment walls?
If the answer to any of the questions above is ‘No’, then go to checklist 3f.
16
Stage 3e:Reducing the risk to people.
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions in Stage 2:
Yes
1
2
No
Not applicable
If people sleep in the workplace can you ensure
that:
 There is an early warning of fire?
 That sleeping areas have been
evacuated?
If there is a large number of people present,
particularly members of the public, is there a
sufficient number of trained staff to ensure
speedy and orderly evacuation?
3
If the workplace is used regularly by people
with impaired mobility:
 Is the number of trained staff adequate
to ensure safe evacuation?
 Are the escape routes suitable for the
people who have to use them?
4
If the layout and the escape routes may not be
familiar to the people present:
 Are the escape routes adequately
signed?
 Is the number of trained staff adequate
to ensure safe evacuation?
 Can instructions and advice be given by
a voice alarm or public address system?
If the answer to any of the questions above is ‘No’, the fire safety measures for
the workplace need to be re-evaluated before the emergency plan is drawn up.
17
Stage 3f: Compensating features
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the questions in Stages 1a, 1b, 1c or 1d the
following compensation features may be considered:
Yes
1
2
No
Not applicable
In the case of small workplaces, can the work
activity be arranged so that any outbreak of fire
can be seen immediately by people present?
Can an automatic fire detection and alarm
system be provided?
3
Can an automatic sprinkler or other suitable
fixed fire fighting installation be provided?
4
Can a smoke control system be provided?
5
Can the source of ignition be contained by
providing fire-resisting walls, doors or
shutters?
18
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
19
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
20
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
21
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
22
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
23
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
24
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
25
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
26
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
ANNUAL INSPECTION AND
TEST CERTIFICATE.
Occupier/owner ___________________________________________________
Address of premises _______________________________________________
____________________________________ Tel No______________________
Inspection and test carried out by _____________________________________
Name and address _________________________________________________
____________________________________ Tel No______________________
I/We hereby certify that the Fire Extinguishers as installed at the above premises
Have been sited, inspected and tested (delete as appropriate) in accordance with
I.S.291 “The Use, Siting, Inspection and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers”
and subsequent amendments as published by the National Standards Authority of
Ireland and all extinguishers comply with I.S/E.N 3, except as stated below.
Signature of person responsible for inspection and test ____________________
Qualification _________________________ Date ________________________
For and behalf of __________________________________________________
Details of variation from Code of Practice (I.S. 291 and I.S/EN 3):
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
27
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
28
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
29
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
30
Specimen of fire safety certificate which should be available for inspection
together with the fire register.
31